Valve button

ABSTRACT

A self-cleaning spray button design especially for use on aerosol valves for spraying starch. The discharge passageway within the button comprises an inlet from the valve stem leading into an annular expansion chamber which connected with a swirl chamber just behind the discharge outlet. Additionally, the orifice land of the terminal orifice tapers outwardly thereby restricting the diameter of the spray pattern.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,838,822 Ewald 1 Oct. 1, 1974 [5 VALVEBUTTON 3,138,301 6/1964 Ward 2391579 x 1761 Inventor: Ronald Ewald, 2700Cardinal 31555333 1311322 iitfiffi:iiiijii.... 1131113335233;

Ronlng Meadows, 60008 3,226,040 12/1965 Briechle et a1 239/573 x [22]Filed: Oct. 30, 3,266,678 8/1966 Green 239/579 X 1 1 Appl- NO-I 301,874Primary Examine rM. Henson Wood, Jr.

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 74,770, Sept. 23,1970, Pat. No. 3,71 1,031, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.727,511, May 8, 1968, Pat. No. 3,570,770.

US. Cl. 239/596, 239/601 Int. Cl 305!) 1/34 Field of Search 239/579,573, 596, 601,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1963 Nesin 239/579 X AssistantExaminer-Michael Y. Mar Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stein and Orman [5 7]ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures VALVE BUTTON This application is adivision of Ser. No. 74,770, filed Sept. 23, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,711,031 which in turn is a continuatiomin-part of Ser. No. 727,51 1, filedMay 8, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,770.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a self-cleaning button or actuator which is used inconjunction with an aerosol valve and is especially designed fordispensing starch, in the form of an aerosol mist.

2. Description of the Prior Art The adaptation of aerosol dispensingdevices to spray starch has been hampered by the tendency of the liquidstarch to recrystalize within the spray button. What has frequentlyhappened is that the device, being of customary design has functionedfaultlessly on the initial use of each device. But after this use, asmall quantity of liquid starch remained within the spray button whereit is exposed to the atmosphere. The liquid starch, or more preciselygranular starch in a volatile solvent, soon dried and recrystalized intogranular form. These granules then partially, or wholly, blocked theflow passages within the button or actuator and the entire aerosol canof starch was unusable to the chagrin of the customer.

As is well known, the function of a spray button is to break up thedispensed liquid into a fine mist in a well defined conical pattern.However, when the button or actuator becomes clogged with granules, itcan no longer function properly, and the product sputters out,improperly broken up and in an erratic pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With these considerations in mind, it is anobject of this invention to provide a spray button or actuator whichwill break up a dispensed product, even liquid starch, into a fineaerosol mist throughout the life of the aerosol container.

. Another object is to provide a spray button or actuator of the abovecharacter which expel such an aerosol mist in a steady well defineddivergent spray pattern.

Still another object is to provide a spray button or actuator, of theabove character, wherein the spray pattern may be varied as desired.

A further object is to provide a spray button or actuator of the abovecharacter which will be unimpaired in its operation by the presence of asmall quantity of granular matter such as dried starch.

A still further object is to provide a spray button or actuator of theabove character which is substantially selfcleaning.

Another object is to provide a spray button or actuator of the abovecharacter which, because of its simplicity and ease of fabrication, iscommercially useful on aerosol containers.

Another object is to provide a spray button or actuator of the abovecharacter which is easily assembled.

Another object is to provide a spray button or actuator of the abovecharacter which may be economically fabricated Another object is toprovide a spray button or actuator of the above character, which may bedisassembled for more thorough cleaning should the need arise.

Another object is to cause the diameter of the spray pattern to varyfrom that of a standard aerosol container.

Another object is to maintain a constant given spray rate for a certainproduct, while at the same time re duce the diameter of the resultantspray pattern.

Another object is to provide a valve button or actuator with anoutwardly tapering terminal orifice.

Another object is to cause a decrease in pattern size by increasing thetaper angle of the terminal orifice land of a valve button or actuator.

Another object is to provide a decrease in the radial force of theproduct as it leaves the terminal orifice by tapering the orifice land.

Another object is to provide a valve button or actuator wherein theterminal orifice land length and included orifice taper angle or matchedto each other such that a desired pattern can be obtained.

Another object is to provide a valve button or actuator in which theradial force of the product as it leaves the terminal orifice is lessthan with a standard valve button on the same container.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

In its most basic embodiment, the invention comprises a mechanicalbreakup spray button or actuator especially useful for starch whereinthe starch product passes from the valve stem of the aerosol valve intoand through an inlet passageway to an annular, tapered, ring shapedexpansion channel around an axial knob. The channel imparts a forwardlyacting centrifugal motion and directs the starch product into a circularswirl chamber just behind the terminal orifice. The swirl chamber maypossess an axial tit or a cone which aids in maintaining and evenincreasing the force of the centrifugal motion previously imparted tothe starch product. A swirl chamber tangentially fed from the expansionchannel may also be utilized within the knob with or without an axialtit to provide a more positive centrifugal motion to the starch product.With such centrifugal motion, the product is then dispensed through theterminal orifice to effect a well defined funnel shaped spray pattern.

The diameter and angle of this funnel shaped spray pattern is dependentupon several variables such as; orifice diameter at the entrance andexit, product, viscosity and container pressure. For example, it hasbeen found that by holding all of the above variables constant exceptorifice entrance and exit diameters and orifice land length, the patternsize at a given distance can be varied by changing the diameter or theland length; By so doing the centrifugal force on the product is variedso that the spray pattern is changed.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the:nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical aerosol container with oneembodiment of the button of this invention thcrcon showing the funnelshaped spray pattern that it emits, in a horizontal fashion.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the button of this inventiontaken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the button taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the button taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 through 8 are cross sectional side views of different embodimentsof orifice inserts.

FIG. 9 is a side view, partly in section, of a second embodiment of thebutton and the spray pattern it emits in a vertical fashion.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a detailed side cross sectional view of the swirl chamber ofthe bottom of FIG. 9, showing another variation of swirl chamberconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is a broken perspective view showing the tangentially fed swirlchamber in the knob version of the valve button.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show variations in the swirl chamber of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side cross sectional view of a button taken along lines 2-2of FIG. 3, the button having a tapered terminal orifice land.

FIGS. 17-20 are cross sectional side views of different embodiments oforifice inserts with tapered lands.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the orifice insert. Similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With special referenceto FIG. 2, it can be seen that spray button 10 is provided with asubstantially vertical and cylindrical valve stem receiving recess 12extending upwardly from its base 14. Recess 12 is of a size to fitsnugly about the valve stem, (not shown) and may even be provided withan anchoring groove, (not shown) to grasp the anchoring ring frequentlyfound of valve stems.

When the aerosol valve is actuated by pressing downward on button 10,the product for which the button 10 has particular application, such asliquid starch, is forcibly ejected, under pressure, through the valvestem and out its orifice into a wedge shaped inlet passage 16 (see FIG.3). Inlet passage 16 channels the flow to one side to cause it to enterinto a tapered ring shaped expansion channel 18. As the starch entersthe channel, it is partially vaporized and is directed via the walls ofchannel 18 around horizontal knob 20. And since channel 18 is tapered;i.e. in the shape of a helix, the starch is driven forwardly ontocircular swirl chamber 22. A forwardly acting centrifugal motion isthereby imparted to the product. As more product enters chamber 22, theearlier entering product swirls into a whirlpool thereby greatlyincreasing angular velocity, and then out through terminal orifice 24and flare 26 of orifice insert 28. To aid in creating the swirl" flowpattern, a tit 27 may be formed on protrusion 20.

As the product leaves flare 26, the starch encounters a rapid drop inpressure. With the high angular velocity imparted to the product, theproduct rapidly spirals 4 outwardly under its own centrifugal force intoa well defined funnel shaped spray pattern as seen in FIG. I.

When actuation of the aerosol valve is terminated, flow stops. This mayleave a small quantity of product, such as starch within channel 18 andchamber 22. Such starch will remain liquid long enough to drain into thelower portion of the channel, where (as seen in FIG. 2) it is generallybelow inlet 16 and does not block either channel 18 nor chamber 22. Thestarch may recrystallize into granules 30 or remain as a liquid.

Then when the valve is again activated, the new starch swirl passes overgranules 30 and, since it is not completely saturated, any granules 30left from prior use, will be quickly redissolved therein. Spray button10 is therefore self-cleaning and the possibility of granular or liquidstarch adversely affecting the normal functioning of the button isavoided.

The terminal orifice 24, the orifice wall 23 and flare skirt 26 arecontained within a separate dish-shaped terminal orifice insert 28. Thelength of the wall or land 23, as well as its taper, will effect thespray pattern as will be discussed below. The insert is anchored withina cylindrical cavity 32, within the button 10 in such fashion that it isconcentric with chamber 22. Cavity 32 has a diameter approximately equalto that of insert 28 whereby a press fit between the two can beutilized. A lip or circular barb on the wall of cavity 32 may be used toinsure retention although such is not necessary.

Several different embodiments of orifice inserts are shown in FIGS. 5-8and 17-21. Basically, the orifice inserts shown in FIGS. 5-8 differ withrespect to their terminal orifice inner wall and the length of the land.In FIG. 5, the inner wall 36 is completely conical with a short orificeland 23. In FIG. 6, a step 40 is provided about the exit of the terminalorifice 24 so as to lengthen the orifice land 23. In FIG. 7, the inserthas a completely flat rear wall 42 and in FIG. 8, the rear wall 44 has atangentially fed swirl chamber 46, much like chamber of FIG. 13described hereinafter, in its back surface 44 axial with the terminalorifice 24. In each of these FIGS. the length of the orifice land and/orthe character of the stream which enters the orifice, in addition to thediameter of the terminal orifice 24, affects the spray pattern 48 (seeFIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 16-21, various other embodiments of orificeinserts are shown but with terminal orifice lands 82 which are tapered.It has been found that as the orifice land 82 gradually tapers from asmall entrance 84 to a larger exit 86, the resultant diameter of thespray pattern 48 will surprisingly decrease. Theoretically, the reasonfor this is that there is a decrease in centrifugal force aplied to theproduct as it leaves terminal orifice 86. The product enters orifice 84with a forward rotary motion due to the particular valve configurationand container pressure. As the product moves into the outwardly taperingterminal orifice, it will tend to hug the expanding sides. Thecentrifugal force on the product will thereby be correspondinglydiminished. Since'the centrifugal force is diminshed, the diameter ofthe resultant spray pattern will be smaller. Thus, by varying the radiusof the entrance 84, the taper and the length of the land 82, and theradius of the exit 86, the spray pattern can be varied as desired withincertain limits.

Experimentation has shown that increasing the taper from 0 (horizontal)to 20, and depending upon the length of the land 82 a broad range ofspray pattern The structure of the terminal orifice and its effect onthe spray pattern, as discussed albove with respect to FIGS. l62l,applies equally to all embodiments.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with particularreference to a valve button, it

Pattern Diameter at 8 from Actuator Starch Brand X Container 35 psigSpray Rate St. 6 10 14 .015" (ha. orifice .045" land 1.31-1.37 g/sec. 65" 4 /2 ri i .018 dia. orifice .045" land 1.9-2.03 g/sec. 7" 6" 5 /2"t5rle Another embodiment of the invention is shown in should beunderstood that the invention may also be FIGS. 9 through 11. Thisembodiment comprises a oneincorporated into a valve actuator. piece,vertical discharge button 40. The button is It will thus be seen thatthe objects set forth above, mounted on closed end hollow valve stem 42of a mg among those made apparent from the preceding degle action tiltvalve 44. In such a valve when button 40 i ti r efficiently attainedand, since certain is pressed sideways, valve stem 42 tilts about itsrim 46 changes may b d i h above construction i hto depress valve sealer48a and open the seal to allow out departing f the Scope f theinvention, i is dispensing of Product The P travels tended that allmatter contained in the above descripwardly through the hollow 50 ofvalve stem 42. It then tion or Shown in the accompanying drawings Shallbe Passes out Valve Stem Orifice 52 in the Side of the closedinterpreted as illustrativeand not :in a limiting sense. upper end ofthe Valve Stem much like Wedge Shaped Now that the invention has beendescribed, what is inlet passage 16 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. Anannuclaimed is; f" tapefed expansion channel 54 leads from Orifice 52 1.A terminal orifice insert for an aerosol button or into swirl chamber56. The taper of channel 54 leads from orifice 52 into swirl chamber 56.The taper of channel 54 imparts a rising spiral motion to the product.Upon reaching swirl chamber 56, the product swirls in whirlpool fashionuntil it issues from terminal orifice 58. As in the above embodiment,when the product leaves orifice 58, and subsequently flare 60, a welldefined hollow funnel shaped spray pattern, as in FIG. 1, is-againproduced.

Any undischarged liquid starch remaining in channel 54 of swirl chamber56 drains outwardly before recrystallizing. Upon first reuse, thecrystals so formed are swept up and out of orifice 58 to cause reliableoperatron.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. Here atangentially fed (from expansion channel 18) swirl chamber 70 is formedin knob 20 and the inside wall of terminal orifice insert 28 abutsagainst the face of knob 20. By such structure, and with a central tit72, which may also be utilized in the structure of FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS.9-12, a more positive control over the centrifugal motion is effected.If desired, a cone shaped knob 20a, as seen in FIG. 12, may be employedinstead of tit 72 on knob 20.

actuator comprising a terminal orifice body having a rear and forwardwall, a recess formed in said forward wall having a base, asubstantially cylindrical protrusion formed on said base and extendinginwardly into said recess, said insert including a terminal passagecomprising an entrance formed in said rear wall and an exit formed inthe face of said protrusion, said entrance and said exit interconnectedin spaced relation by an outwardly tapered land such that the spraypattern size is a function of the spaced relation and taper between saidexit and said entrance.

2. A terminal orifice insert configured for use with a mechanicalbreakup button or actuator for dispensing product comprising a terminalorifice body including a discharge passage having an entrance and exitorifice interconnected in spaced relation by an outwardly tapered landof less than twenty degrees wherein the spray pattern size is inverselyproportional to the taper and length of said land whereby the spraypattern size may be varied to maintain a constant spray rate, said.

insert including a recess having a substantially cylindrical protrusionformed therein to house said discharge

1. A terminal orifice insert for an aerosol button or actuatorcomprising a terminal orifice body having a rear and forward wall, arecess formed in said forward wall having a base, a substantiallycylindrical protrusion formed on said base and extending inwardly intosaid recess, said insert including a terminal passage comprising anentrance formed in said rear wall and an exit formed in the face of saidprotrusion, said entrance and said exit interconnected in spacedrelation by an outwardly tapered land such that the spray pattern sizeis a function of the spaced relation and taper between said exit andsaid entrance.
 2. A terminal orifice insert configured for use with amechanical breakup button or actuator for dispensing product comprisinga terminal orifice body including a discharge passage having an entranceand exit orifice interconnected in spaced relation by an outwardlytapered land of less than twenty degrees wherein the spray pattern sizeis inversely proportional to the taper and length of said land wherebythe spray pattern size may be varied to maintain a constant spray rate,said insert including a recess having a substantially cylindricalprotrusion formed therein to house said discharge passage.